It’s been some time since Ray has treated himself to a restaurant meal or a movie at the theatre.

As a resident of Victoria Manor, a supported housing facility on Victoria Ave. in Windsor, he, like all 110 residents, receives a $143 personal needs allowance each month.

“In my opinion, it’s not adequate,” said Ray who asked to be identified by first name only. “It’s 2017, $143 would probably be good in 1960.”

His daily living expenses for food and hygiene products are covered as is transportation for medical appointments.

But clothing, meeting friends for coffee or buying a pack of cigarettes is all on Ray’s dime.

“I have a TV in my room, and DVDs,” the 65-year-old said. “I use the library so I manage to entertain myself on a low budget.”

He gets his clothes from the Salvation Army, the Goodwill or the Downtown Mission.

Ray manages his money skilfully but knows other residents who struggle.

“They can’t control their money,” he said. “They get taken advantage of, they lend money out and they get into debt. Then they can’t purchase what they need.”

And what they need the most, according to Victoria Manor’s executive director Leigh Vachon, is “socks, shoes, underwear and coats.”

“We rely on the clothing banks a lot,” Vachon said.

In an effort to improve the quality of life for her residents just a bit, Vachon has organized the home’s first-ever fundraiser.

Leigh Vachon, executive director of Victoria Manor, is pictured next to a wall of mandalas in the cafeteria on June 15, 2017.Dax Melmer /
Windsor Star

With the help of some corporate partners, Vachon and her staff are holding a Paint Nite fundraiser June 23. At $35 a ticket, the event will feature food, music, refreshments and supplies to paint geometric, patterned artwork known as a mandala.

The goal is to establish a small fund that can be used to buy a coat or shoes for a resident in need. The hope is that resident then might have a few bucks to spend on some special treat that’s normally out of reach.

Vachon’s other motive is to bring people from the community through the door who might otherwise never step foot inside.

The home provides permanent housing and supervised care for those with mental and physical disabilities.

“Mental health is stigmatized,” Vachon said. “They can be vocal and unfortunately we don’t all wear our illnesses.” Vachon, however, says she endured more threats during a 12-year career in fast food than she has in 13 years at Victoria Manor.

“I was threatened more than once by people who got wrong orders,” she said of her time in the restaurant industry. “I’ve had people throw pop at me, people asking me to step outside. I’ve been 13 years in addictions and mental health and no one has threatened to hit me.”

Olga George Politis, of the Henna Boutique, and Walkerville art student Kat Sartori will be on hand to assist guests paint a mandala.

Mandalas have become a recreational and therapeutic outlet for Victoria Manor residents for many years.

The manor’s dining room will be converted into a one-night art studio that can accommodate 50 would-be Picassos.

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